A Year With the People's Sports Sedan

Back in March, 2012, we compared the Volkswagen GLI with the Honda Civic Si and Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS, to name the best manual-transmission sport sedan for around $25,000. As you may know, the GLI won, delighting us with "the most rewarding, most refined driving experience, and the best packaging."

One of the few GLI traits we didn't appreciate was its inability to defeat stability control. For 2013, though, VW has wised up, offering the GLI with an ESC-off button. With that in mind, and given the fact that it won a heated comparison, we decided to spend a year with one -- albeit one equipped with the optional dual-clutch DSG automatic, which, for 2013, boasts a launch-control function -- to see if our appreciation would wane or grow.

I love hatchbacks, but the GLI's superior chassis and dynamics (and bigger back seat) make it my choice over the GTI.

At the test track, the launch control and DSG paid immediate dividends, scooting the 3247-pound GLI from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and through the quarter mile in 15.1 at 93.5 mph, matching the times of the 3201-pound manual car, which posted a slightly higher trap speed of 94.9. Around the figure eight, the DSG car put down a run of 26.5 seconds at 0.69 g, proving a bit slower but slightly stickier than the manual car (26.4 at 0.66). Lateral acceleration (0.87 g) and 60-0 braking (123 feet) were commendable and comparable with the stats of the manual car (0.90, 124).

Wearing an as-tested price tag of $30,095, our GLI with Autobahn and navi packages is as loaded as a Jetta can come, boasting 18-inch Bathhurst alloys, power sunroof, Fender audio, keyless access with push-button start, leatherette, dual-zone auto climate control, heated seats, bi-xenon headlamps, and backup camera. Of note are the bi-xenons: For 2013, they get Audi-esque LED accents.With a relatively small 2.0-liter engine, the DSG-fitted Vee-Dub achieves EPA ratings of 24/32 mpg city/highway. As the primary pilot and caretaker of this sportiest of Jettas, I look forward to seeing if the GLI can achieve those numbers and live up to an already rosy reputation.

The only thing that irked me about the GLI was the tuning of the soundaktor. It makes the GLI and Beetle Turbo, sound like a lawn mower. I know you can remove this, but I would prefer VW just to make it sound identical to the GTI, or what would be even better, is just a little more exhaust and actual intake noise instead of putting an intake muffler on these cars. The 2.0T is a great engine, but the only thing that worries me is the carbon buildup that all DI engines suffer from. I know that my car included is prone to buildup, and I really wish that VW would just go ahead and add the port injection to our US models with the EA888 GEN 3 Engine.

I imagine, unlike many on here, I have been fortunate & luc ky enough to have owned and driven a ton of new cars over the past 20 years. Basically, I am not nearly qualified to claim to be a mechanic, but I do know quite a bit about many different cars & trucks. I do presently own a 2013 Jetta GLI with the 2.0 turbo & DSG transmission. it is by far one of the funnest vehicles I have ever driven. The interior in the GLI is awesome, from the racing inspired steering wheel w/paddle shifters to the comfortable bucket seats and dual mode DSG transmission. The addition this year of the "launch control" gear is also awesome. I too was not a big fan of the new standard model Jetta's, but the GLI edition is much nicer, both inside & out. Without spending even $500 extra, I have already gone from the stock 15.1 second 1/4 mile

I purchased a 2013 GLI Autobahn Manual in early August. I have put a few thousand miles on it due to some holiday travel and a relocation in the works. It's an awesome all around car. Crazy when I want it to be, relaxing when I need it to be. Great sound system, materials, and looks. Small car with tons of interior room. I went in to buy a GTI, and found this one to win me over. Great choice.

I've had my 2013 GLI Autobahn since late March, and it is a joy to drive. For those knocking it here on the forums, have your fun, but having driven SEVERAL Ford Fusions and many other entry level sedans this has a lot to offer over the competition. It's loud at the right times with a satisfying grumble off the line (although it is electronically induced through the Fender stereo), and quiet on the highway. Put your foot down when cruising and you are flying by people in the passing lane. Great stereo, heated seats, power moon roof, huge trunk space, roomy back seats, dual zone climate blah blah blah. It is a very nice car.

I get a lot of compliments on this car, and people have mistaken it for an Audi on more than one occasion (same side mirrors, shark fin satellite antenna on the back).

Love the new GLI!! Much better than a normal Jetta. I almost disregarded the GLI completely because of the crappy base model. However, I decided to try it out. Very nice to drive, not super fast or anything, but felt good driving it. Plus the Steering wheel is awesome!!!! I almost want to buy this car for the steering wheel alone!!! Still haven't decided on a car yet but, GLI, Passat, Fusion are the leading contenders

There is no way I would ever pay $30k+ for any Jetta. There are way too many good cars that could be had for that kind of money. That's right in the ball park of loaded V6/turbo 4 mid-size sedans, all of which have better performance numbers. If you want to stay in the compact field, the Focus ST is right there as well, along with the WRX and MS3.

The 2013 Accord Sport smokes this car in EVERY category, not to mention being cheaper by $6000 MSRP. I though the Krauts were going down de-conent route ? This car should come as is for no more then 23-24K for it to have a fighting chance. Otherwise, save your coin and keep on shopping. Plenty of better entrys out there for much much less. Das auto itch nien !

I like the GLI as well and hope it proves itself a great long term ride. From past experience my 06GTI proved to be very reliable with a 6sp manual over the years..Zero problems. Recently I have enjoyed the ride and miles in my 11 2.0T Sonata about as well..

I believe it is all about expectations and you essential daily use. The GTI is the Original hot-hatch and the Sonata is a family sedan with a optional turbo-charged powerplant. Both have great performance in a straight line but the GTI shines in the corners. The overall mileage is about even with the GTI better on the HWY and the Sonata around town but it shines with not needing 91octane as the GTI does. But in the 1/4 mile the Sonata has more speed (mph) but around the same time 14.7 to 15.2..I think the GLI might give me the best of both worlds..Good Luck MT

@N/A@N/A The Mazdaspeed3 Touring stickers around $27,000, WRX Limited stickers around $31,600, and GLI Autobahn w/ Nav stickers around $29,300. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is undoubtedly a great vehicle Mr. N/A, driving dynamics are spirited but composed, all the usable torque and hp is accessible right away from the beginning of the RPM band, and the interior material and tech is deservedly 'upgraded' from the standard Jetta. "Upgraded" is in quotations because previous generation Jettas sported soft touch materials and power equipment standard without having to upgrade to the higher trim GLI, Hybrid, and SEL (for 2013). Mr. N/A, no one is telling you to go out and buy a Volkswagen GLI, it's your money and you are welcome to spend with any manufacturer. However, the pleasing experience in driving and owning a Volkswagen GLI doesn't necessarily happen overnight to someone as skeptical as yourself, sometimes it sometimes requires a weeklong driving experience to appreciate the best sounding 4-cylinder motor in it's class, perhaps, second only to the boxer 4 of the Subaru. If you are looking for a less boy-racer sporty sedan, with lower NVH levels versus the Subaru, high levels of safety (please excuse the Jetta's poor performance in the small overlap test!) over the Mazda3, and clean layout of the interior/exterior styling of the GLI, the not-so-little v-dub is certainly in a class of it's own. Just make sure you ask your VW dealership for all the rebates!

You know all this without have driven the car? I bet you haven't driven a single car you mentioned on that list. You put any car mention with the same equipment[if the even offer it] and they'll be pretty close price wise. What do I expect most people on here say stuff just what you mentioned then wind up buying the car they talked so much trash about after driving it.

Performance numbers mean nothing in traffic or cruising down the highway.

Test drove an automatic v6 accord (2012) that was painfully slow. Tried other cars as well and ended up with a base 2012 GLI for $23k. The accord felt like an old person's car much in the way Toyota Avalons have been in the past my opinion. To be fair I have not driven a manual Accord but I imagine it would still handle like a boat but maybe a touch less sluggish off the line.

@Michaelangelo The Honda Accord is very boring to drive. You are paying for a fun driving experience with the Volkswagen Jetta. Trust me, I have driven both cars, and the Volkswagen Jetta is MUCH more fun to drive than the boring Honda Accord.

The Volkswagen Jetta also feels a lot faster, it just has amazing driving dynamics. Also, the Jetta is a lot more refined than the Honda and feels more secure. Honda lost their way a long time ago, they are much more boring now.

Couple of points here. I assume that you are referring to the Accord Sport manual, so I will go with those numbers. The manual is about .3 second slower than the Jetta 0-60. That said, I have my suspicions about that time. For one, it is a full second slower than its auto, which is extremely rare in modern trasmissions. So I suspect the car is a good launcher, but in the real world perform more like the automatics 0-60 time. The real world Jetta will be faster.

Second, the Figure eight on the Jetta is .4 better than the Accord sport. I would predict that the sport tuned Jetta would be better than the mid-sized sedan on a track. The Accord, however, does brake better.

All this said, the Accord sport is not exactly loaded. The car above pretty much has everything, so the price of a similarly priced Jetta would be very close to the Accord Sport. So the 6K difference you mention is mostly in options. While I am not a huge fan of the GLI (other options that are better), I would not exaggerate the abilities of the Accord Sport as you have done.

@Ron Chennai I agree that the GLI has a muted style. What reliability issue are you referring to? I've been in the automotive industry for some short time, and I love Ford for their no-nonsense high horsepower ass-kicking that they give out to all the rest of the automakers. I have owned several Ford's and I promise you that Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan . . . so basically everybody without having to type-in every manufacturer ALL have their million hair-pulling, blood-boiling, never-will-buy-another-whatever issues.

@bigcjm lol I must have touched a nerve. I'm not going to justify my post. I stand by what I said and you've done nothing to disprove it. But hey, enjoy your ridiculously expensive compact car with middle of the pack performance.

The Accord's CVT is very slow off the mark which accounts for its zero to sixty time being so much slower than the manual. But .3 of a second slower to sixty and .4 slower in the figure eight mean nothing in the world where these cars are driven. The GTI and the Accord Sport are both good cars. If you compare the cars at the point where they are comparably priced, the base GTI with the manual Accord Sport, there are practical considerations for why the Accord makes more sense for most people. The Accord gets considerably better gas mileage and achieves it without a turbo. When you go to a dealer to buy an Accord, they are more willing to move off the list price than the VW dealers, at least where I live. I suspect that is because there are far more Honda dealers. I was able to buy an Accord Sport for $2,500.00 less than I could buy the base GTI. I'm sure that there are some people who will be willing to pay a premium for the alleged sense of greater Far Fig Newton offered in the base GTI and I wouldn't criticize them for doing so. But it didn't make sense to me and I suspect that will be the case for most people.

@renata25Thank you for making my point. You are saying that the $24K Accord Sport, at the very least, is comparable in performance to the $30K Jetta ? Have you also forgotten about MPG and that the Jetta has to have the DSG to muster these numbers? Lets take your argument the other way and load up the Accord with options. For around $30K I can get a 278 HP ACCORD V6 that would annihilate this pathetic German bomb with or without turbos, DSG or sour kraut. Not to mention, MPGs would be pretty darn close too on that V6! The Passat is the car that should occupy this price point, not the CIVIC like Jetta. If you want this package in German clothing then go buy a used A4. At least that car looks the part. The sobering truth for VW and everyone else is that the Accord in all its variations is under priced and overvalued. That's English for "an undisputed segment buster of a car." Unfortunately for Honda, it will have to earn back the loyalty of defectors from the previous gen Accord. No worries though. One drive is this new sled and that's all she wrote

The recent J.D. Powers report places VW at the bottom of their list. That's enough for me to stay away -- besides read the countless posts from owners that SWEAR never again a VW. In my eyes the car looks unattractive and cheap - but to each his own.

So the take away from this is you think the accord is a better car right[which is a matter of opinion anyway]. Lets get a real the 25k gli is as fast as the 30k gli.

In the end that stuff doesn't matter because almost no one floors there cars 100% of the time. The GLI is a good car and if you'd get off you butt and drive the car you'd see it has its pros and cons just like the accord. The Value arguement has no value when you don't consider the sum of the parts. Which hard to understand starring at a spec sheet.